78% off #How to Program Games: Tile Classics in JS for HTML5 Canvas – $10

Average rating 4.7/5 (4.7 (296 ratings) Instead of using a simple lifetime average, Udemy calculates a course’s star rating by considering a number of different factors such as the number of ratings, the age of ratings, and the likelihood of fraudulent ratings.)

Course requirements:

Any plain text editor like Notepad will do, however one which supports features for programmers such as multiple file tabs, code highlighting, line numbers, and smart/auto-indentation can be handy for later phases as the code grows in length (Notepad++ is free for Windows, TextWrangler for Mac, or Sublime Text 2 which I use has a fully functional free trial for either)
Any common web browser should work fine, although I use Google Chrome (free) so you may prefer that one just to see on your side exactly how it shows up in the videos
To follow along the few steps for drawing art you’ll need a program that lets you draw and save images with transparency. I use a slightly older version of Photoshop, although free alternatives exist and the steps are similar. I also attach all art files that I create, so if you prefer to only focus on the coding steps you can download the images that I create in the videos.

Course description:

By taking this new course you’ll program several classic game types that all incorporate 2D tile-based worlds. You’ll code in JavaScript for HTML5 Canvas, so a text editor and ordinary web browser are all you need (an art program can be handy for a few sections but is not required). I’ve attached my code for each step so you’ll never be stuck. At the end you’ll learn even more ways to apply what you’ve learned. Also by completing the course you’ll get a PDF of my complete 500-page textbook on game development: Hands-On Intro to Game Programming. The book contains over 100 exercises, a couple of more game types, and additional material with more detail about the projects you created in this course.

Full details
Create, display, and play with a 2D tile world that supports optimized collision (a central concept for generations of games in a variety of genres!)
Program games in JavaScript for HTML5 Canvas without using any external libraries or plug-ins
Create, load, display, and rotate image graphics in games
Break game code into multiple files to better manage large projects
Define a class and use it to create multiple instances of gameplay objects in unique positions (note: only using the very basic first concept of object-oriented programming, it doesn’t dive deep into that rabbit hole)
Handle mouse input for a one-player game, or keyboard controls for both one and two-player games
Implement basic item pick-ups (keys) and trigger their usage upon collision (open doors)
Develop and adapt gameplay for basic platformer movement, digital board/strategy games, simple matrix formations for retro arcade-style enemies, and worlds larger than the screen viewed by scrolling camera
Apply simple trigonometry calls to move game objects at arbitrary angles
Implement basic loading screen functionality in HTML5

Full details
Anyone who wants to learn practical skills to program their own games at home
People who may aleady be familiar with programming concepts but are new to applying that knowledge to making real-time computer games
Creators who have only ever tried drag-and-drop tools but are interested in learning more about how to make games by programming for an deeper level of control over the details
Developers interested in getting practice with a more traditional “code only” approach to core gameplay programming before moving on to major engines and tools (which are not covered in this course) like Unity or Unreal
People looking for a technical game design foundation based in indie-style games or classic gameplay as a starting point
New developers who completed the free course “Code Your First Game: Arcade Classic in JavaScript on Canvas” and are looking to furthr build upon their game development skills in JavaScript on HTML5 Canvas
Please note that advanced topics like object-oriented programming are only very briefly touched upon – software engineering patterns are generally outside the scope of this course

Full details

Reviews:

“The course is great. Everything well explained step by step and to the point. I like the approach of showing how to do something in the simplest but maybe not the most efficient way, and then showing how can it be done more efficiently.
What I also like is that every more complicated bit is explained through graphical presentation. Teaching curve was not to steep, beginning with explaining every line of code then talking about changes and encouraging to use already gained knowledge to achieve the goal of a lesson.” (Maciej)

“Hurray I just made my first game!
Great course, fast paced, very informative and hands on. I love how the first game is created continuously. Starting with the ball, paddle, bricks. It’s fun, altough my math sucks :-)” (iOS Development, App Design Robert Sibek)

“I originally found this course when looking for a course about HTML5 canvas graphics and this provided far more than what I was looking far. Very pleased with my purchase.
In short, this course is a very good overview of 2D tile/grid game development. Chris does an excellent job of adding in the new material bit by bit making sure everything is explained clearly.” (Tod Cox)

About Instructor:

Gamkedo Game Development Coach Chris DeLeon

Hey! I live in an L.A. apartment with my fiancée Laura and our 3-year-old gray cat EDI. I’ve been making games for 20 years, including pro game design on console games for Electronic Arts, in casual web games at a Silicon Valley start-up, and indie mobile (including the #2 top ranked game in 2008). Before starting Gamkedo I taught game creation skills at Georgia Tech. On the side I organize IndieCade’s workshops in L.A. and Paris, teach kids coding in Malibu, and do game developer outreach now with over 50 podcast episodes and more than 100 YouTube videos.